But the ombudsman believes the full extent of worker underpayments is significantly higher than the $1,022,698 clawed back for workers who follow fresh fruit, vegetables and wine grapes harvests around Australia.

“We categorically condemn the mistreatment of farm workers in any form and this type of behaviour has no place in the horticulture industry,” the Ausveg chair and Victorian vegetable grower Bill Bulmer said.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary, Sally McManus, called for laws to be changed to give workers quick and easy access to justice to recover stolen wages.

“How many more inquiries like this one will it take before the Morrison government admits that wage theft is a national crisis?” McManus asked.